Ngerulmud, Republic of Palau, April 14, 2026 – Marks the First Day of the Sixth Regular Session of the Senate, 12th Olbiil Era Kelulau (Palau National Congress). The session was called to order by the Honorable Hokkons Baules, President of the Senate at 10:11 a.m. A quorum was present to deliberate nine (9) significant measures and seventeen (17) communications.
BILL CALENDAR:
First Reading:
- H.B. No. 12-21-2S, HD2 – To amend Title 22 of the Palau National Code to require all chartered and publicly funded schools to instruct kindergartners to third graders using the Republic’s traditional languages; and for related purposes. The subject bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Education chaired by Senator Andrew Tabelual for review and reporting.
Second Reading: No new measure to consider.
Third Reading: No new measure to consider.
RESOLUTION CALENDAR:
Referral:
- SR No. 12-87, “Confirming the presidential appointment of Ms. Deanna Tmekei to serve as a member of the Board of Accountancy for a term of two (2) years”. The Senate referred the subject resolution to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and Financial Matters chaired by Senator Mark U. Rudimch for review and reporting.
- SR No. 12-88, “Confirming the presidential appointment of Mr. Gaafar J. Uherbelau as the Ambassador of the Republic of Palau to the Republic of China (Taiwan)”. The Senate referred the subject resolution to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and State Matters chaired by Senator Mason N. Whipps, for review and reporting.
Adoption:
- SR No. 12-75, “Confirming the presidential reappointment of Ms. Fauna Temarsel to serve as member of the Palau Election Commission for a term of four (4) years. The subject resolution was reported by the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Affairs through SCR No. 12-81 recommending confirmation of the appointee. The Senate subsequently adopted the resolution by affirmative action.
- SR No. 12-76, “Confirming the presidential reappointment of Mr. Jeffrey Titiml to serve as member of the Board of Directors of the Palau Public Utilities Corporation for a term of five (5) years. The subject resolution was reported by the Senate Committee on Energy & Public Utilities through SCR No. 12-80 recommending adoption of the Senate Resolution No. 12-76. The resolution failed to secure sufficient votes to confirm the reappointment of Mr. Jeffrey Titiml to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Palau Public Utilities Corporation.
- SR No. 12-79, “Confirming the presidential reappointment of Mr. Paul Wade Ueki to serve as member of the Board of Trustees of the Palau Public Lands Authority for a term of three (3) years. The subject resolution was reported by the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Affairs through SCR No. 12-82 recommending confirmation of the appointee. The Senate subsequently adopted the resolution by affirmative action confirming the nominee.
- SR No. 12-82, “Confirming the presidential reappointment of Mr. Ephraim Ngirachitei to serve as member of the Foreign Investment Board for a term of three (3) years. The subject resolution was reported by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and Financial Matters through SCR No. 12-85 recommending confirmation of the appointee. The Senate subsequently adopted the resolution by affirmative action confirming the nominee.
- SJR No. 12-16, SD1, “Ratifying the 2016 Amendments to the Treaty of Fisheries Between the Government of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America. The subject resolution was reported by the Senate Committee on Tourism, Environment, Maritime and Climate Change through SCR No. 12-83 recommending adoption. The Senate subsequently adopted the resolution by affirmative action.
- HJR No. 12-17-5, “Authorizing the Republic of Palau to accede to the Pacific Resilience Facility”. The subject resolution was reported by the Senate Committee on Tourism, Environment, Maritime and Climate Change through SCR No. 12-84 recommending confirmation of the appointee. The Senate subsequently adopted the resolution by affirmative action.
#
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ With no further matters for discussion, Senate President Hokkons Baules adjourned the First Day of Sixth Regular Session at 12:30 p.m. and declared the next session date, “Subject to the Call of the Chair”. Copies of measures are appended for your immediate reference, should you require further assistance please email to senatepio12@gmail.comor to senate.pio@palauoek.pwwith the subject “Request For Measure” or call our office at 488-8419 and request for a physical copy.